A Novel ATM Security System using a User Defined Personal Identification Number With the Aid of GSM Technology

Abstract

In contrast to the past, Automatic Teller Machines (ATMs) are widely used due to their simplicity and extensive availability. Presently, ATM systems use no more than an access card which usually has a magnetic stripe (magstripe) and a fixed Personal Identification Number (PIN) for identity verification. Some other cases utilize a chip and a PIN which sometimes has a magstripe in case the chip fails as a backup for identification purposes. This method is not very secure and prone to increase in criminal activities. The need for a novel, simple as well as secure method of access is thus imperative. In the present work, a PIN is generated by the user and this PIN is made available to the ATM system by the means of a Subscriber Identity Module(SIM) in the user’s Mobile Phone. This information is communicated to a Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) module embedded into the ATM’s functional framework. This method of security is more stable than the traditional methods presently in use. The method presented is dynamic due to the possibility of changing the User Defined PIN(UDPIN) in each and every transaction. Losing the access card no longer becomes a big problem to the user and the need for immediate deactivation is also eliminated. It can also be enhanced by including other security features without large number of modifications. A simple prototype employing this security function has been implemented and the results are verified. The proposed system has been tested extensively and proves to be a simpler and better security measure.